"For me, marriage is all about making that ultimate commitment. There's no other level over and above that," says Rick Marton.

Rick has been in a relationship with Dave Swan for many years and they'd like to make it official in the same way as a straight couple can.

"I don't want to get down on one knee and ask Dave to deed of relationship me, it's a bit ridiculous," says Rick.

"So instead I did get down on one knee and asked him to marry me one day, and we're pretty patient."

Rick and Dave hope to celebrate their marriage, one day, in Tasmania with their family and friends at a civil wedding.

Rick's mother, Rose Marton, can't wait to see her son get married.

"We all have the right to actually take that road and make that decision and be happy with who they're with," she says.

"[Dave is] definitely already my son-in-law, but I would like to actually see the celebration happen and see the fairness.

"It's about love, respect and commitment and that's what these two boys bring together."

Rose says this issue shouldn't even be an issue and she believes she will get to see her son's wedding one day.

"I think the frustration for me is that I know it's going to happen anyway and there's more important issues in the world today that we need to address rather than something's that inevitable."

Religious beliefs and traditions are often raised as a reason why same sex marriage can't take place, but Rick and Dave say they don't want a religious marriage.

"We're not asking for religious marriage, we're simply asking for the same sort of marriage that two thirds of Australians are now having and that's a civil marriage," says Rick.

While Kevin Rudd says he would bring forward a bill for same sex marriage legalisation within 100 days if Labor wins the election, Rick says he knows this doesn't mean the legislation would pass through parliament.

But it's more than just a case of wanting to hold a special party.

Rick says the discrimination against same sex couples with marriage laws contributes to the feelings of isolation among young gay and lesbian people, contributing to the higher than average rates of mental health issues and suicide in the GLBT community.

Rose says equalising marriage laws will help by making GLBT young people feel they are accepted in society.

"I think it's the acceptance that's going to heal everything like that and we need to have the acceptance in the community."

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